Living with Dog? How to Ensure You and Your Dog Are Good Neighbors
When one of your family members is of the canine persuasion, it can be easy to forget their antics might not appeal to everybody. One look from those lustrous eyes and we can easily overlook the occasional misstep, but for those who don’t live with them, certain antics can quickly become annoyances. Here’s how to ensure you and your dog are darlings of the neighborhood, rather than associated with dreaded encounters.
Good fences make good dogs
Dogs love to putter around in the great outdoors. As explained by Cesar’s Way, dogs explore through their noses, “looking” at and investigating nooks and crannies, and forming their understanding of the world in this way. Giving your dog the opportunity to take in scents is a wonderful thing, but it should be controlled. If you plan to allow your dog out without a leash, installing an appropriate fence is crucial. It will protect your dog in the event his nose gets the better of him, leading him to wander beyond home turf, and it will also ensure he doesn’t head out into traffic. When pricing fences, keep in mind this is also an investment in your property, but different types of fencing costs vary. For example, you can expect to pay between $964 and $1,458 to install an electric fence.
Outings everyone can enjoy
When you and your pooch go for a stroll, the last thing you want is for the neighbors to roll their eyes or bolt in the other direction. Teaching your dog basic manners can go a long way toward improving the experience for everyone. Start with leash training, and practice in your house before Fido has to try to follow the rules in a more stimulating environment. Teaching him commands like sit, lay down, and stay are also helpful, in the event you run into your neighbor and she wants to tell you all about Junior’s baseball season.
Even with training, some dogs become excited on walks for many reasons, and can be difficult to control. This can especially be true with bigger dogs, simply due to strength and size. There are special anti-pull harnesses designed to help you maintain control and encourage your pooch toward better conduct. For safety’s sake, if you walk with your dog at night, you might wish to invest in special nighttime gear as well.
And last but far from least, be prepared to pick up after your dog on your walks. Used grocery bags can be ideal for cleaning up when your dog relieves himself during outings, and The Bark offers a handy suggestion: keep some in an empty tissue box by the door so you can grab one and go.
Excuse me, have we met?
Unfamiliar people and dogs can trigger a variety of responses from your canine companion, depending partly on his personality and partly on circumstances. Some dogs become very excited about making new friends, and some get intimidated, or see others as encroaching. Making proper introductions keeps things less stressful for everyone involved. Aim for neutral territory, and keep your dog leashed until you have a chance for a controlled interaction, even if it’s in a dog park. If your dog hasn’t been socialized much, meeting a variety of people and dogs in different circumstances can often help him develop good responses.
Keep a handle on barking
Dogs bark for a variety of reasons. It’s important to understand your dog is trying to communicate something when he barks, and how you respond to his barking hinges on what is prompting him. If your dog is getting carried away and being overly vocal, Everyday Health explains there are some simple methods for helping him learn better control. Distractions can help, or work on making him more comfortable with the stimulus. You can also teach your dog to stop by using a word like “quiet.”
In addition to companionship and basic physical care, our dogs also rely on us for guidance. Teaching your dog some etiquette can go a long way toward improving his and your quality of life. With some manners, equipment, and education on board, you and your pooch will be neighborhood favorites!
Contributed by Cindy Aldridge, Image courtesy of Pexels
Swee Ng, Realtor and Phoenix East Valley resident specializing in win-win real estate transaction through great communication and fighting for his clients’ best interest. After all, this is more than real estates, this is about your life and your dreams.
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